This section gives a brief overview of all Bombardier Dual Power locomotives running for New Jersey Transit (NJT) from the USA. NJT decided to team up with Agence Metropolitaine de Transport (AMT) from Canada, to find a modern and efficient solution for passenger services on both electrified as non-electrified track sections of its network. The result is the massive ALP-45 series, a locomotive that is both a full fledged diesel and electric locomotive. It operating concept is very similar to the older ALP-46 and ALP-46A series. Technically Bombardier could also implement modules from the Traxx family.

NJT ordered 26 such units in 2008. The order was officially announced in July that year. In 2010 the board of NJT approved an additional order for 10 units.

13.03.2011: arrival of the first unit in the USA; 4501 disembarked at Port Newark, N.J.
11.05.2011: official presentation of the ALP-45: 4500 at Newark Penn Station

NJT ALP-45 Dual Power: News

2014

2014-06-30

[USA] New services for NJT's Dual Power locomotives

update 2014|06|30

[USA] New services for NJT's Dual Power locomotives

By Rob Pisani: A new service has started today on NJ Transit: They are now operating weekend/holiday "Shore Express" service from New York Penn Station to Bay Head, NJ on the North Jersey Coast Line.

Trains leave New York under electric power and switch to diesel mode at Long Branch where electrification ends. The dual power units then run in diesel model between Bay Head and Long Branch.

So this marks the second "dual power" use for these locomotives. The first, being direct midday service on the Raritan Valley Line which started in March.

The title image shows NJT no. 4518 on train 7323 crossing the Raritan Bay Bridge in Perth Amboy, NJ on the North Jersey Coast Line. This was the first westbound revenue run of the Shore Express. The second photo is of NJT no. 4522 on one of the midday Raritan Valley Line direct trains, taken on 09.04.2014 at Hillside. No. 4522 is one of the units that was damaged by "Superstorm Sandy". Many of these storm damaged units are now in service handling Raritan Valley Line trains.

In preparation for super storm Sandy, in 2012, NJ Transit decided to store a major part of its rolling stock in its Meadows Maintenance Complex in Kearny. It proved to be a wrong decision, as the perimeter flooded as a result of the hurricane. Also brand new Dual Power locomotives got damaged: "The locomotives sustained damage to the truck and undercar mounted equipment, including traction motors, gear boxes, connectors, cables and brake, communication and signal equipment" officials said. This results in reparation costs of 28.5 million US dollar.
NJT ALP-45 Dual Power

2013-03-04

[US] NJ Transit ALP-45DPs first time in New York

update 2013|03|04

[US] NJ Transit ALP-45DPs first time in New York

This was a special weekend for the ALP-45DP, as they made their first revenue runs into New York Penn Station on 02.03.2013. There was a planned catenary outage on the Morris & Essex Line which caused NJ Transit to use the dual mode units on trains running between Dover and New York. Normally ALP-46 electrics are being used here.

The image shows Dual Power no. 4503 at the rear of a NJ Transit MidTOWN DIRECT train making a station stop at Secaucus Junction. - RP
NJT ALP-45 Dual Power

2013-02-13

[US] 100 ALP locomotives

update 2013|02|13

[US] 100 ALP locomotives

Fresh and crispy pictures from the United States. Dual Power 4534 in service of NJ Transit is the locomotive 100th ALP-machine (ALP46+46A+45DP) delivered by Bombardier. It has a special sticker on its sides. - RP
NJT ALP-45 Dual Power

In the US of A, a debate is going on whether or not, NJ Transit could have been more cautious when super storm Sandy arrived. Because of decisions made, a considerable part of the fleet suffered from flood damage, including nine brand new Dual Power locomotives.

The situation shows how vulnerable a dedicated rail system can be when a decent part is distorted. NJ Transit has many customer specific rolling stock, not easy to find replacement on the short term.

As of July 2012, several of NJ Transit's new ALP-45DPs are now in regular service. These units are primarily used on the Montclair-Boonton Line at this time, although roaming on other Hoboken Division lines does occur. - RP
NJT ALP-45 Dual Power

2012-06-03

[US] NJT Dual Powers in revenue service

update 2012|06|03

[US] NJT Dual Powers in revenue service

Since 30.05.2012, New Jersey Transit is using their new Dual Powers in revenue service. Here is a nice video of unit 4504 during its mode change from electric to diesel propulsion. Enjoy.

[USA] testing the New Jersey Dual Power locomotives (+ video report on the transport)

update 2012|03|05

[USA] testing the New Jersey Dual Power locomotives (+ video report on the transport)

A short message from the US of A. There, NJ Transit continues to operate test trains such as this before placing the new ALP-45DP units in regular service. This test train, with unit 4507, is running on the Raritan Valley Line. - RP

With thanks to our reporter from the US of A, Christopher Urban, we present this picture with a true autumn atmosphere. NJT's ALP-45DP no. 4500 is seen here during tests on the North Jersey Coast line at Elberon station, together with F40PH-2CAT no. 4129, four retired Comet 3s only used for testing, and Comet 5 cab car no. 6013. _ CU
NJT ALP-45 Dual Power

2011-11-09

[DE] transport of the Dual-Powers - AMT 1355 and NJT 4504 [updated]

update 2011|11|09

[DE] transport of the Dual-Powers - AMT 1355 and NJT 4504 [updated]

Bombardier is currently delivering its Dual-Power locomotives to the North-American continent. The construction and delivery of the Canadian version for Montreal (AMT) is going a bit faster than the units for New Jersey Transit. The pictures show unit 1355 in the harbour of Hamburg, where it will embark for its trip to the USA. - EK

Coincidentally, unit 4504 for NJT was seen yesterday, at the A7 Autobahn in Germany. - BM

First dual-power
The first massive Dual-Powers are invading North-America. The pictures show the 4500 for New Jersey Transit being prepared for test runs at the NJT Meadows Maintenance Complex. Then we have the 4500, in this video being unloaded in Porth Elizabeth. And, four days ago, also the first unit for Montreal arrived at its new home: check this link.
AMT 13xx Dual PowerNJT ALP-45 Dual Power

2011-05-13

[USA] New Jersey Transit unveils the Dual-Power

update 2011|05|13

[USA] New Jersey Transit unveils the Dual-Power

On 11.05.2011, New Jersey Transit unveiled the new Dual-Mode locomotive at Newark-Penn Station. The NJT 4500 was on static display on Track A. Some nice images here and here.

NJT has a fixed order for 26 units, the purchase of a further 10 units is also approved. Unit 4501 was delivered first in March and is now at the Pueblo (CO) test facility and 4500 was delivered 2nd in April for testing on NJT tracks ahead of approval.
NJT ALP-45 Dual Power

2010

2010-07-21

[US] 10 more dual-modes for New Jersey Transit

update 2010|07|21

[US] 10 more dual-modes for New Jersey Transit

The board of New Jersey Transit has decided to exercise an option from the 2008 dual-mode order. That year, NJT purchased 26 ALP-45DP locomotives, which are currently under development by Bombardier in Kassel, Germany. This contract included options for up to 63 extra units. For now, ten identical units will be added to the fixed order, with a value of $78·8m. - PC/Metro/Railwaygazette
NJT ALP-45 Dual Power

Yesterday, New Jersey Transit made public that they have decided to order 26 new dual-mode locomotives; propelled by two high-speed diesel engines in combination with a catenary system. The complete press statement here.

Railcolor.net got a bit more information about the technical specs of the new and very advanced locomotives:

As said in the press statement the locomotives will have two diesel high-speed diesel engines, which will be provided by Caterpillar. The converter will be placed in between. Between the bogies both a transformer and fuel thanks will be located. Finally the machines will weigh 130t and be able to run with speeds up to 200 kph under catenary. The design of the single cab machines will slightly resemble that of the NJT ALP-46 series, which again is based in the 101 series for the German Railways (DB). The machines will be built in Kassel, Germany and tested in Pueblo, CO, USA.
NJT ALP-45 Dual Power